clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Islanders Playoff Gameday News: It’s win or go home tonight in Game 7

The Islanders and Flyers will duel in the final game of the second round.

By Steven E. Smith

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

New York Islanders v Philadelphia Flyers - Game One
It’s been a chippy series.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Brock Nelson sort of alluded to it in his media availability yesterday or two days ago, but a Game 7 is kind of what you hope for, all things being equal. Sure, the situation the Islanders find themselves is less than ideal, having led the series 3-1. But if this isn’t enough to raise desperation levels, well, nothing is.

I mentioned it in the comments yesterday, but I feel good about tonight. Win or lose, this team, with three wins in the second round, still has gone further than any team since 1993. Of course, I’d be devastated by a loss, I won’t lie about that. But I’d still be proud of this team.

All that being said, go out and win that effing game.

Islanders News

  • Here’s the team site’s official preview. [Islanders]
  • The Islanders are focused on Game 7, not what happened in Games 5 or 6 against the Flyers. Also, Barry Trotz is 2-2, all-time, in Games 7. [Newsday]
  • They’re gearing up for tonight. Shouldn’t be too difficult to get up for, I’d imagine. [Islanders]
  • The Islanders are eager to have a third chance to close out the Flyers. So am I. [NHL]
  • Arthur Staple asks five questions facing the Islanders tonight, including who’s in net and what happens, win or lose. [The Athletic]
  • As far as who goes in net, Neil Best throws his hat in the ring for Thomas Greiss. [Newsday]
  • Both teams are looking for resiliency tonight. Each have shown it at various points throughout this series. [NHL]
  • GM Lou Lamoriello has been here before. He’s seen it all and he’s a valuable resource for this Islanders team. [Newsday]

Let’s do this.

Elsewhere

Yesterday’s NHL scores include the Stars beating the Avalanche in a back-and-forth Game 7 OT thriller and the Golden Knights finally solving Thatcher Demko and eliminating the Canucks in their Game 7.

  • So it will be Dallas and Vegas in the Western Conference Final, starting Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. EDT. [NHL]
  • The Canucks run was thrilling—they knocked off the defending champs and took the top seed the distance—and their young core learned some hard lessons. [Sportsnet]
  • Colorado was decimated by injuries toward the end of their run and Nathan MacKinnon says because of that, the team shouldn’t change anything for next season. [NHL]

Next Up In New York Islanders Podcasts